⭐️ 1 out of 5 rating

The original “Ali G Indahouse” feature film hit cinemas way back in 2002. While that release was passable, the peak hilarity of Sacha Baron Cohen’s original TV character was already starting to wane. While this new outing for 2026 is unlikely to hold much appeal for anyone under 35, how does it stack up for those who actually remember the glory days of the character?

Before its release, there was plenty of controversy, with critics claiming the film’s handling of race and culture would prove inappropriate or offensive to modern audiences. Others argued that a younger, “woke” demographic simply wouldn’t get the joke. The reality, however, is much simpler: there’s nothing to be offended by because the film is just entirely dire and lacks decent humour.

This Amazon Studios feature had a brief theatrical release before moving directly to streaming. That said, I am glad it received a proper cinema release, as some campaigned to pull it from the silver screen altogether. Censoring films or blocking them from being shown is never the right answer when dealing with objections despite the content.

The film’s format relies on a thin, scripted narrative where a tiny core cast interacts with real, unsuspecting people while pretending to film a fake documentary. Sacha Baron Cohen reprises his role as Ali G alongside Morgana Robinson as Julie. The scripted elements are poorly executed, and the acting is atrocious. Disjointed from start to finish with poor pacing, the plot revolves around Ali losing his HBO show while managing the news that Julie is pregnant.

I certainly wasn’t expecting an Oscar winner, but as someone who genuinely enjoyed the original TV series, I expected far better. This is easily one of the worst films I have watched in the past year. Do not waste your time with it. Sadly, it falls completely flat and misses the mark.

RIP Ali G — it’s time to put this character to rest.

⭐️ 1 out of 5 rating

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Trailer, synopsis and full score below.

Ali G is a iconic satirical fictional character created and portrayed by English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Debuting in 1998 on the UK’s The 11 O’Clock Show before starring in Da Ali G Show and the movie Ali G Indahouse, he is a suburban, middle-class white “chav” from Staines, England, who exaggeratedly impersonates British Jamaican rude boy and urban hip-hop culture. Baron Cohen used the clueless, uneducated, and blatantly absurd persona to conduct unscripted interviews with prominent real-world figures—including politicians, scientists, and journalists—who were unaware it was a comedy act, exposing their unvarnished reactions, biases, and ignorance through his ridiculous, deadpan questions.

Online synopsis 

Film Rating

Music/Sound

2 out of 5

Story/plot

1 out of 5

Acting/Performances

1 out of 5

Overall

1 out of 5

Certification: 15
Running time: 89 minutes
Screening type: 2D